Lured by a 30% tax rebate, international productions are heading to Lithuania to shoot and even using the country to double for other places in Eastern Europe, according to Deimantas Saladžius of the Lithuanian Film Centre.
Deimantas Saladžius
Famously standing in for Ukraine in HBO’s Chernobyl, Lithuania has become an increasingly attractive destination for international film and television production, drawing producers with its combination of financial incentives, diverse filming locations and highly skilled crews.
Deimantas Saladžius, head of the film production department at the Lithuanian Film Centre, highlights these advantages, describing Lithuania as a country that offers “a combination of financial advantages, diverse filming locations, experienced crews and a stable, easy-to-access tax incentive.”
Over the past decade, Lithuania has built a strong reputation as a cost-effective and logistically convenient location for a wide range of audiovisual projects, from large-scale historical dramas to contemporary thrillers and animated films.
At the core of Lithuania’s appeal to international producers is its robust financial incentive framework. The Lithuanian Film Tax Incentive allows productions to receive up to 30% of their eligible expenses back through a private tax shelter system. This initiative has been a significant driver of international productions choosing Lithuania, with €18.1m (US$19.7m) allocated in 2024.
This figure, however, was more than 13% down on the €21m allocated in 2023.
“The slight decrease in the tax incentive allocation from €21m in 2023 to €18.1m in 2024 is not due to a reduction in available funds but rather the natural fluctuation in production volume and timing,” explains Saladžius.
“Since the Lithuanian Film Tax Incentive operates as a private tax shelter system, the final amount allocated depends on the total spending by international productions in a given year. Some major projects that initially planned to shoot in 2024 have shifted their schedules to late 2024 or early 2025, affecting the overall disbursement in this specific timeframe.”
HBO’s award-winning Chernobyl was shot in Lithuania
Regarding the kinds of content being produced in Lithuania, Saladžius says the Film Tax Incentive “applies equally to all types of audiovisual works – film, TV, animation, and documentary – provided they meet cultural and production criteria.”
Beyond the Film Tax Incentive, Lithuania also offers a Selective State Grant Scheme, which supports coproductions based on artistic and cultural value. These grants help finance fiction, documentary and animation projects that demonstrate strong creative and production potential. While the grant scheme is regularly adjusted to support evolving industry needs, the incentive remains stable, with an annual budget cap of €55m, providing long-term security for incoming productions.
To qualify for the Film Tax Incentive, productions must meet certain requirements, including a minimum eligible spend of €43,000 in Lithuania and at least three shooting days in the country, unless it is an animation project. Animated films must allocate at least 20% of their Lithuanian expenditure to key production elements such as character design, visual effects or animation techniques.
Another crucial requirement is that at least 51% of the crew hired by the Lithuanian production company must be citizens of Lithuania or another European Economic Area country. These conditions ensure that productions not only benefit from the incentive but also contribute meaningfully to the local industry by creating employment opportunities and fostering skills development.
Netflix’s Clark used the Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius as a location
The financial incentives and the influx of international productions align with the broader economic and cultural mission of the Lithuanian Film Centre. The agency is focused on positioning the country as a competitive production hub while fostering local talent and strengthening the sustainability of the country’s audiovisual industry.
Saladžius points out that these incentives “not only attract international productions but also ensure long-term growth for the local film ecosystem.” The steady flow of projects has contributed to a strong production pipeline, creating consistent employment for industry professionals and stimulating the local economy. Even amid global economic challenges, Lithuania has managed to maintain high levels of production activity, with continued interest from international filmmakers and television producers.
Lithuania’s success in attracting international productions can be seen in the growing list of high-profile projects that have chosen to film in the country. Recent productions that have taken advantage of the tax incentive include Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, an adaptation of Astrid Lindgren’s classic story; the German historical drama Sisi, which has returned for multiple seasons; and Netflix’s Clark, which used the historic Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius as a filming location.
Story House Pictures’ costume drama Sisi is set in the days of the Austro-Hungarian empire
These projects highlight Lithuania’s ability to accommodate a diverse range of productions, from period dramas to contemporary narratives. In previous years, major international productions such as the BBC’s War & Peace, as well as HBO’s Chernobyl, were also filmed in Lithuania, further cementing its reputation as a sought-after destination for high-quality film and television projects.
Beyond financial incentives, Lithuania’s strategic focus on international collaboration and coproduction has played a vital role in its industry’s growth. The Lithuanian Film Centre supports copros, recognising them as a crucial part of the country’s film strategy. Saladžius emphasises that coproduction is central to the agency’s goals, saying it “enables Lithuanian talent to collaborate internationally and increases the visibility of our industry.”
Lithuania is a member of Eurimages and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production, allowing it to participate in a wide range of European collaborations. Additionally, Lithuania has signed a coproduction agreement with Israel, further expanding opportunities for cross-border partnerships.
For international producers looking to take advantage of Lithuania’s incentives and coproduction opportunities, it is important to be aware of application timelines.
Children’s fantasy book adaptation Ronja the Robber’s Daughter
The Film Tax Incentive is available year-round, providing flexibility for productions at various stages of planning. However, the Selective Grants follow a structured schedule, with two annual calls for applications, typically in the spring and autumn. This system ensures that filmmakers have multiple opportunities to apply for financial support and integrate Lithuania into their production plans.
Lithuania’s growing prominence as a filming destination is the result of a well-balanced strategy that combines financial incentives, professional infrastructure, and a strong commitment to international collaboration. By maintaining a stable and accessible incentive structure, the country has positioned itself as a compelling choice for global producers seeking cost-effective yet high-quality production solutions.
As the international film and television industry continues to evolve, Lithuania’s ability to attract a diverse range of projects will be key to sustaining its momentum and reinforcing its status as a competitive European production hub.
